STROKE ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA (SAP) IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: ITS PREVALENCE, IMPACT ON ECONOMICAL COST AND LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of stroke associated pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit patients, and its impact on economical cost and length of hospital stay.

Study Design: Descriptive case series study.

Place and Duration of Study: Intensive Care Unit-National Hospital and Medical Centre Lahore, during Aug 2017 to Sep 2018.

Methodology: The cases of acute stroke were selected on the basis of clinical symptoms and computed tomography (CT) scan findings irrespective of the gender with age >30 years. Stroke associated pneumonia was labelled on the basis of consensus definition of stroke group.

Results: In this study out of total 80 cases 60% were males, mean age of the participants was 62.01 ± 9.79 years Ischemic stroke was seen in 75%. Stroke associated pneumonia was observed in 10 (12.5%) cases. Stroke associated pneumonia was significantly high in cases with haemorrhagic stroke where this was seen in 30% of the cases (p=0.006). This difference was also statistically significant in cases with diabetes mellitus where it was seen in 28.57% of the cases with p=0.02. The mean hospital stay and cost were also statistically significant in cases with stroke associated pneumonia as compared to those with no pneumonia with p≤0.01 each.

Conclusion: Stroke associated pneumonia is not uncommon and is significantly associated with haemorrhagic stroke and diabetes mellitus. It also has significant impact on length of hospital stay and cost of treatment.